I am filling in the forms for the BASC Arran scheme for hind stalking, and it requires that i state calibre of rifle.
I know some people on here have been on this scheme so here"s the question,
If you had a choice beteween a varmint barrelled .308 with a 150 gr bullet, OR a nice lightweight, suppressed .243 with a 100 gr bullet, which would you prefer?
I know that you never seem to have the ideal gun for the situation, but i have shot Reds(hinds and stags) with both rifles and it really comes down to whether it"s neccesary to put up with the weight of the heavy rifle.
If i knew i was going to be in a high seat or stalking rides it would be the 243 every day of the week, but if I find myself looking across a glen at a hind 250 metres away I know I will be
pining for my .308!
Advice(esp from anyone who has been to Arran!)
would be appreciated.
good shooting

hi bt
my friend was up there last season,
any cal will do ,just make sure youve got STAINLESS SYNTHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :jumpingREGARDS SCIRROCO

quote:

Originally posted by brass thief:
I am filling in the forms for the BASC Arran scheme for hind stalking, and it requires that i state calibre of rifle.
--

Do you have to report which rifle and calibre you intend to use, and that you're not allowed to use another rifle or calibre?

Where is hunt that bureaucratic?

Fritz

Hi Brass Thief

Just take the 308. The 243 is fine but the 308 is better, especially on those less the perfect shots.

Mark

BT

I have been to Arran and i would say you want to go as light as possible. The ground i was was on was a mixture of rolling areas of clear fell and mature forest often with a few steepish climbs involved.

My prefernce of calibre however would be the .308

I haven't been but what Mark said...

FB

A truly cunning plan would be taking the .308 and losing the weight difference between that and the .243!!

Win all round - have a more flexible calibre while moving easier!

Apologies if you ain't overweight like the rest of us!!

Rgds Ian

I"m afraid that I have more trouble getting weight on than taking it off!
I use a Roe sack for all stalking(yes, i know i won"t fit a Red in it), as bipods are next to useless in Scotland. The sack gives me somewhere to carry all my bits and peices, but doubles as a "bipod" without sinking into the heather. So when I have a sack, binos, range finder, knife, grub, etc,etc, then the rifle weight becomes more noticeable.
I have used both the CZ 550 varmint 308, and my mod 70 sporter .243 for Red and Roe, but if I thought that I"d have to shoot out past 200 metres, esp on Reds, I"d be more confident hauling the .308.
Also, the 243 is suppressed. If a parcel of hinds are encountered, then the suppressor might mean getting off more shots before they scarper!
So is it big heavy noisy 308 with lots of reach, or lightweight quiet .243?
I think that whichever i use, I"ll wish I"d brought the other one!
good shooting

The solution is Easy,

For a very sensible Fee I wil be available to act as your gunbearer. when we encounter a bunch of deer you can pick a suitable weapon and I will take the other by default.

Like Butch Casssidy and the Kid we can then open up the proceedings and decide afterwards which one performed the best....



FB

Brass, the problem you discuss is the very reason the .270 was invented. Does everything and more the other two will do. The fact that it is 30 years older than the two shorties, further makes my point.

No thought needed: have gun, will travel.

HI BF, IMHO take the .243 you'll be surprised the first time a hind falls over stone dead at 250yds then the next out of the group...
by the time you've shot the fifth one the surprise will have worn off!
If .243 was good enough for Lea Mcnally then its good enough for us mortals too.
Ditto on the SS though. That climate is tough on blued rifles

Z

Claret,
Much as i would like to buy another rifle, and not having anything against such a fine cartridge, your idea would seem to be perfect.
In reality, I don"t want to spend another £1000-1500 on a rifle,scope, threading, dies, etc, when i have two rifles which are more than capable of their respective jobs.
I am tempted at times to buy a lighter .308 and have it threaded, but when i go to a range day and fire 50 rds(I"m not big, see above!), the varmint barrel really soaks up the recoil(I"m also very generous with the BLC2 when I"m loading!)
I"m working on a 180 grain load for a trip to Canada next year, and my varmint barrel really tames those heavy bullets. A suppressor would be no advantage for that trip as they are"nt allowed in Canada.
I"m torn between my 2 rifles as I can make an informed decision on what to use on land I"m familiar with here at home, but I don"t know what to expect on Arran.
My mate who will be accompanying me has the same calibres/configurations as me, just in Steyr and Remington, so he has the same decision to make.
I"m gonna go shoot something.
good shooting

Brass, the 243 will do well on the open hill. My reservations on the 243 are mainly based on experiences with large Reds in forestry in Donegal. Smaller Scottish deer on the open hill will be no bother for it. I would only suggest that if you handload, go for a 100gr head pushed as fast as you can make it. The best performing factory ammo I have come across for the 243 is Lapua. The guy in the Moy usually has it in stock.

Look at that, 200 posts.

200 posts, and good advice. I'd vote for the 243 as well, with good shot placement it will do the trick easily, additionally being a damn sight lighter.
Best of luck with your choice.

brass thief,
you bring what you are comfortable with!the 308 is ok and so is the 243! put both down on the form and choose later..most shots are not beyond 200yds although there is scope for long shots if you require.
Hinds average about 55-60 kgs dressed. so the 243 is adequate, providing you use a premium bullet.
Will see you there!
regards
griff

Griff

regarding Arran, I booked earlier in the year, but have recieved no forms to complete?

My choice will be 6.5x284 and 7mm/300WSM

Brass Thief,

Take the .243 it will do the job comfortably and easily, and will not knacker you hauling it around all day.

Have you tried one of those gunslinger belts? They are great Pete E donated me one last year and I love it. I can carry my CZ 550 6.5X55 with a moderator and bipod all day long, and I am amongst the overweight majority. My .243 sits in it and I hardly know its there.

I know it is a bit more kit, but, it leaves both hands free is easy and quick to use, and it sounds as if you want to take your 308.

Hope this helps

John

Thanks for the advice everybody, but right at this moment I"m on a .243 high!
I got my .243 back from Border Barrels(re-barrelling and bedding) a few weeks ago, and have been developing a new load. Today with 35 grains of Varget, and a 100 gr Hornady interlock
, I shot 3 shots into 16mm from 150 meters. I have shot hinds before with a .243, so I know it will do the job. I might change my mind again, but right at this moment I"m pleased with my .243 and with border barrels.
I"m looking forward to shooting this load out further, but initial results are promising!
As for the work on the rifle it"s a bit early to say, but I"ve noticed the new barrel is alot easierto clean, and more consistant(does"nt seem to matter as much whether it"s clean or dirty) Only time will tell. Border Barrels were painfully slow, but I am pleased with the work.
I would recommend them, but don"t send themanything that you might need in the next few months!
good shooting

Andy,
give Andrea a ring on 01244 573059, you should have had confirmation immediately..
regards
griff

Thanks, will do, look forwards to being there this year.